Agitator drive means for liquid containers



l Jan. 24, 1939. C. B. DALZELL E1- AL 2,144,715

AGITATOR DRIVE MEANS FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS AGITATOR DRIVE MEANS FORLIQUID CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @diwwvwm 5j'dricalY form,

Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AGITATDR- DRIVE MEANSFOB LIQUID CONTAINERS Charles B. Dal'zell and Raymond J. Neely, VLittleFalls, N. Y., assignors to Cherry-Burrell Corporation, Chicago', Ill., acorporation of Dela- Application January Z9, 1938, SerialV No. 187.724

9 Claims.

10 through a suitable covered manhole for clean.-

ing the tank to keep it in the required clean or sanitary condition. Theparts of the agitator as well as the inner surfaces of the walls of thetank have to be cleaned, and it is desirable to h ave the 1;, agitatorand its shaft demountable or removable, both to facilitate thoroughcleaning of these and other parts with which the liquid in the tank maycontact, and also in order that they may be moved out of the Way of theworkman in the 20 tank. Because of the curvature of the oor or bottom ofthe tank and consequent precarious footing afforded a person in thetank, the agitator should be mounted and connected to its drive so as toadapt it to be removed easily and with 25 the minimum exertion by theworkman in the tank.

The objects of our invention are to provide drive means of novelimproved construction for the agitators of such tanks; to provide anovel 30 construction in which the agitator shaft is detachably coupledexternally of the interior of the tank or above the liquid leveltherein, to the drive shaft or element, and in a way which enables easyremoval of the agitator and its shaft from within 35 the tank; also toprovide an overhead drive for the agitator in order to avoid any shaftbearing, opening for the passage of the agitator shaft out of the tankand seal or stufng box therefor below the level of the liquid in thetank where the 40 liquid can contact with such parts; alsoto provide aconstruction which enables a person within the tank to uncouple andremove the agitator shaft without getting out of the tank or having theassistance of any one outside of the tank; also to 45 `Qnable theagitator shaft to be uncoupled and removed from within the tank andprovide means which will effectively guard or shield the opening throughwhich the agitator shaft passes out of the tank against the entrance offoreign matter so both when the shaft is in and when it is removed 55 Inthe acompanying drawings:

(ci. 25o-10s) Fig. 1 is a transverse, sectional elevation ofthe topportion of a liquid storage tank and drive means forthe liquid agitator,illustrating one embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional elevation showing the agitator shaftuncoupled and removed inwardly through the shaft opening in the top ofthe tank.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 3 3, Fig. l, showing thedetachable coupling between the agitator shaft andthe drive shafttherefor. f

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation showing sealing means for the openingthrough which the agitator shaft passes out of the tank.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a modied con struction embodying theinvention- Fig. 6 is a broken, sectional elevation of the tank andagitator, showing guide means for the lower end of the agitator shaft.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lowerbearing support. ,f

Fig.`8 shows in elevation, one end of the tank provided with a coveredmanhole.l

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1-3, 10 representsthe top portion of the cylindrical wall of the storage tank, Il theshaft of a liquid agitator or propeller within the tank, and i2 theopening in the top of the tank through which the agitator shaft passesfor connection with the drive shaft or element for the agitator shaftIl. The tank may be of usual insulated construction, comprising a liningI3 of suitable material, an outer metal jacket i4 and suitableinsulating materialv I5 between the lining and outer jacket and, asusual, the tank is provided with a manhole closed by a door. I5'a. Theopen--l ing I2 for the passage of the shaft through the tank wall ispreferably lined by a sleeve or tube i6 which is welded or otherwise,attached to the lin'- ing and outer jacket so as to provide hermeticjoints between the tube. lining and jacket,l and preferably this tube i6provides a flange or curb I1 projecting outwardly from the outer surfaceof the jacket around the shaft opening and a flange I8 projectinginwardly beyond the inner surface of the tank lining.

In the construction illustrated the agitator is driven by an electric or,other suitable motor mounted on a stand or base 2i! stationarilysecured on top ofthe tank and having a vertical drive shaft or element2l in substantiall axial alinement with the agitator shaft H, and towhich the latter is coupled so as to permit disconnection of the agitaorshaft from the drive element 2i and 'the removal of the agitator shaftinwardly through the shaft opening I2 of the tank. Preferably theagitator and drive shafts are coupled together by a bayonet joint formedby a sleeve 22 flxecl on and projecting upwardly from the agitatorAshaft forming a cylindrical socket adapted to receive the lower end ofthe drive shaft, which is provided with one or more, preferably two,

fixed radial studs 22 adapted to engage in angular Each slot 24 shownhas an upwardly extending, inner end porslots 24 in the sides of thesleeve.

2 I. The shafts are coupled together by a reversall of this operation.

Thus, a person within the tank can readily uncouple the agitator shaftfrom the drive shaft and pull the agitator shaft downwardly into thetank through the shaft opening I2, the coupling sleeve being of smallenough diameter to pass freely through the shaft opening, and this canbe done entirely by the person within the tank.

unaided by another person outside of the tank.

The shaft opening I2 of the tank is preferably of enough larger diameterthan the coupling sleeve on the agitator shaft to leave sufficient spacebetween the sleeve and walls of the shaft opening to permit easy removalof the agitator shaft through the shaft opening I2. For the purpose ofpreventing water. oil or other foreign matter from passing into the tankthrough this space whether the agitator shaft is in operative positionin the opening I2, or has been removed, the following means arepreferably employed.

25 indicates a guard or shield, preferably in the form of a ring, whichsurrounds the coupling sleeve 22 or enlarged -upper portion of theagitator shaft, and is provided with a peripheralange or skirt 2 whichdepends outside of and preferably overlaps the outwardly projecting curbI1 at the outer end of the shaft opening I2. This guard is carried bybut removable from the agitator shaft in such a way that in removing theshaft it will be drawn out of the guard, leaving the latter resting onthe tank, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown, the guard is made with a taperedcentral hole 21 adapted to fit on a correspondingly tapered shoulder 2lon the coupling sleeve on the agitator shaft. When the agitator shaft isin operative position coupled to the drive shaft, the tapered hole ofthe guard 25 forms a snug fit on the tapered shoulder 2l so as toprevent oil orl other foreign matter passing through the joint betweenthe guard and shaft, and the guard, which is held by the shaft over theoutwardly projecting curb I1 around' the shaft opening, will shed theforeign matter outside of the curb and prevent it from entering theshaft opening. In removing the agitator shaft, it is pulled out of thetapered hole of the guard. and when the shaft is removed inwardiythrough the shaft opening, the guard is left resting on the tanksurrounding the outwardly projecting curb I1.

As a further safeguard to prevent oil from the drive shaft bearing orany other foreign matter from falling into the tank through the hole inthe guard 25, the drive shaft is provided with an annular disk or collar30 which projects outwardly from the drive shaft above the hole in theguard tator shaft, and the open, lower end of vthis guard extends downaround and Preferably overlaps the projecting curb I1 around the shaftopeningvI2. rmis guard Aor shield does not interfere with the uncoupllngof the agitator shaft and its removal through the shaft opening of thetank but effectually covers the shaft opening both when the agitatorshaft is in place and when it is removed. While this guard forms a veryeffective guarantee against the entrance of foreign matter through theshaft opening, this construction does not per-- mit as ready cleaning ofthe shaft opening as the construction first described. in which thedetachable guard 25 is employed, and which can be removed from over theouter end of the shaft opening to permit the cleaning of the latter.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, a sealing device isprovided for closing the shaft opening I2 so that the liquid in the tankmay be pushed out by air pressure as is some times done, rather than bygravity or by means of a liquid pump. When such means are used. the tankor liquid container would be provided with an air escape means to permitthe tank to be filled.' Such tanks, too, are some times filled-byexhausting the air from the tank rather than by gravity or by a liquidpump, in which case a separate air escape would not be necessary. Thissealing device, which also makes this procedure possible, as illustratedin Fig. 4, comprises an annular sealing ring or washer 32, which looselysurrounds the enlarged upper portion or sleeve of the agitator shaft andis yieldingly pressed against the end of the flange Il surrounding thelower end of the shaft opening I2, the end of this flange and thesealing ring being preferably finished to provide a ground joint betweenthe contacting faces of these parts. 'I'he sealing ring can be pressedagainst or held in yielding contact with the end of the flange I8 by anysuitable means, such for instance, as a coil spring 33 surrounding theshaft between the bottom face of the sealing ring and a collar I4 on theagitator shaft. This collar, as shown is chambered at its upper portionto receive the spring and sealing ring and forms a guide for the ring inits movements to and from contact with the end of the flange It. Thecollar 34 may be removably retained on the agitator shaft, as by a studI5 on the shaft projecting into a slot in the lower end of the collar,to facilitate its removal for cleaning the same and the other parts ofthe sealing means. A sealing device of any other suitable constructioncould be employed. 'Ihis sealing device does not interfere in any waywith the manipulation of the agitator shaft for uncoupllng it from itsdrive shaft and removing it from the shaft opening of the tank, since inlifting the agitator shaft to uncouple it, the sealing ring 32 can moveon the shaft sufficiently to allow the necessary upward uncouplingmovement of the shaft.

'I'here is the danger when a person gets into the tank to clean it thathe may slip and fall or lean against and bend or deflect the shaft outof alinemeni: as 'to throw undue radial load in the bushing'and of thebushing in the support are purposely loose, as .the object is to,minimize the danger of the shaft` being. bent and the lateral play ofits lower end, while v enabling ready removal of the shaft, rather thanto provide a close tting, normally* operating bearing. Guide means ofother construction suitable for the purpose could be employed.

We claim as our invention:

l. In combination with a tank having-a fixedv upper portion with a shaftopening therethrough and also havingA in addition to .said shaft open'ing a covered manhole giving access to the tank, adrive element locatedoutside of the tank for an agitator in the tank, and an agitator shaftpassing through said opening and detachably coupled externally of theinside of the tank to said drive element, the agitator shaft and thecoupling connecting said shaft and drive element being operable bymanipulation of said agitator shaft from within the tank to disconnectthe shaft from the drive element and the shaft when uncoupled beingmovable into the tank through said shaft opening.

2.In combination with a tank having a fixed upper portion with a shaftopening therethrough and also having in addition to said shaft opening acovered manhole giving access to the tank, a drive element locatedvoutside of the tank for an agitator in the tank, an agitator shaftpassing through said opening, and a coupling external to the inside ofthe tank comprising separable parts which detachablyv connects saidshaft and drive element by manipulation of said shaft and is operablefrom Within the tank to disconnect said shaft from the drive element,said shaft with its coupling part when detached being movable into thetank through said shaft opening.

3. In combination with a tank having a fixed upper wall part. with ashaft opening therethrough and also having in addition to said shaftopening a covered manhole giving access to the tank, a drive elementlocated outside of the tank for an agitator-in the tank, and an agitatorshaft passing through said opening and detachably coupled externally ofthe inside of the tank to said drive element, the coupling connectingsaid shaft and drive element being operable by manipulation of saidagitator shaft from within the tank to uncouple the shaft from the driveelement, and the shaft when uncoupled being removable from said shaftopening, and means forming a guard to prevent entrance of matter intothe tank through the shaft opening both when the shaft is in and isremoved from said opening.

4. In combination with a tank having a shaft opening through its upperportion, a drive element located outside of the tank for an agitator inthe tank, and an agitator shaft passing through said-'opening anddetachably coupled externally of the inside of thetank to said driveelement,

75 the coupling. connectingy said shaft and drive element beingconstructed and arranged to enable said agitator shaft to bedisconnected and removed from said shaft opening, and a guard for theshaft opening carried by said shaft above said opening, said guard beingdetached from the shaft and remaining in position to guard said openingwhen said shaft is removed through said opening.

l 5. In combination with a tank having a. shaft opening through itsupper portion, a drive element located outside of the tank for anagitator in the tank, and an agitator shaft passing through said openingand detachably coupled ex- ;i-.ernauy of the inside of the tank to saiddrive element, said shaft being adapted to be uncoupled and moved intothe tank through said shaft opening, and a guard for said `opening whichis detachably supported by said shaft above said opening and is detachedfrom the shaft by removingthe shaft through said opening and remainsin'guarding position relative to the opening when the shaft is removed.

6. In combination with a tank having a shaft opening through its upperportion, a drive element located outside of the tankfor an agitator inthe tank, and an agitator shaft passing through said opening anddetachably coupled externally of the inside of the tank to said driveelement, said shaft being adapted to be uncoupled and moved into thetank through said shaft opening, and a, guardv ring for said openingwhich isdetachably seated on said shaft above said opening and isunseated from the shaft and left supported on the tank at the outer endof the opening by removing the shaft through the opening.

'7. In combination with a tank having a shaft opening through its upperportion, a drive element located outside'of thetank for an agitator inthe tank, and an agitator shaft passing through said opening anddetachably coupled externally of the inside of the tank to said drive'element, said shaft being adapted to be uncou pled and moved into thetank through said shaft opening, a guard ring for said opening which isdetachably seated on said shaft above said opening and is unseated fromthe shaft and left supportedy on the tank at the outer end ofthe openingby removing the shaft througih the opening, and a guard on said driveelement above said guard ring.

8. In combination with a tank having a shaft opening through its upperportion, a drive element located outside of the tank for an agitator inthe tank, and an agitator shaft passing through said opening anddetachably coupled externally of the inside of the tankto said driveelement, said shaft being'detachable from the drive elem-ent bymanipulation of the shaft from within the tank and movable into the tankthrough said shaftiopening, and a sealing device comprising a.ringasurrounding said shaft and pressed yieldinglyfagainst the'inner endwall of said shaft opening-.toseal said opening against the passage ofair therethrough-said sealing device being movable relatively to saidshaft to allow endwise movement of the shaft for the uncoupling thereof..l

9. In combination -with a tank having a shaft opening through its upperportion, a drive element located outside ofthe tank for an agitator inthe tank, and an agitator shaft passing through said opening anddetachably coupled externally of the inside of the tank to said driveelement, said shaft being adaptedtobe uncoupiedand moved into the tankthrough said shaft through said opening, said sealing device beingopening, and a sealing device carried by said movable axially on theshaft to allow axial move shaft and comprising a sealing ringsurrounding ment of the shaft for uncoupling it. the shaft andspring-pressed against the inner 5 ond wall of said opening for closingsaid opening CHARLES B. DA'LZELL. 5

against the loss of air pressure from the tank RAYMOND J. NEELY.

